Off-Road Trails in South Dakota

Discover off-road trails in South Dakota

Learn more about Cement Ridge Fire Lookout
Cement Ridge Fire Lookout

Cement Ridge Fire Lookout

Leaving Spearfish Canyon from Savoy, you'll find yourself on Roughlock Falls Road, a well-maintained gravel road that leads you up to Cement Ridge Fire Lookout, which boasts expansive views of the Black Hills Forest and…
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Total Miles
12.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Summer, Fall
Learn more about China Gulch - FSR #249
China Gulch - FSR #249

China Gulch - FSR #249

China Gulch takes you on a range of road types, from a two-vehicle wide gravel road near Hill City to a single vehicle road that travels adjacent to rock walls. The road at the north…
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Total Miles
12.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
Learn more about Crystal Cave Trail
Crystal Cave Trail

Crystal Cave Trail

Crystal Cave is a very easy ride to the end of the trail where you will find an overlook to what many call the "Mini Grand Canyon" of the Black Hills. The trail is a…
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Total Miles
4.6
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
Learn more about Crystal Mount Single Track
Crystal Mount Single Track

Crystal Mount Single Track

This dirt bike route was a rather smooth and flowy trail. I did not notice many rocks or roots and the bulk of the trail was not overly narrow. One thing that may trip people…
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Total Miles
1.7
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Fall, Spring, Summer
Learn more about Custer Mountain Cutoff
Custer Mountain Cutoff

Custer Mountain Cutoff

This is a scenic trail winding through ponderosa pines and quaking aspens. There are gates to get through, so be sure to close them behind you. This trail skirts the edges of Custer State Park.
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Total Miles
6.3
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
Learn more about Custer Peak Fire Lookout
Custer Peak Fire Lookout

Custer Peak Fire Lookout

The trail up to Custer Peak Fire Lookout offers riders views of the Black Hills National Forest that are second to none. The Lookout was first built in 1911 and replaced in 1935 with the…
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Total Miles
4.4
Tech Rating
4 Moderate
Best Time
Summer, Fall
Learn more about Dirt Bike Friendly Highway 385
Dirt Bike Friendly Highway 385

Dirt Bike Friendly Highway 385

This dirt bike only trail has a few obstacles and an expansive trail. Parts of the highway can be seen from the trail throughout the ride. There are some mildly exciting rocky sections with some…
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Total Miles
1.2
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
Learn more about Ditch Creek
Ditch Creek

Ditch Creek

While many people make Bear Mountain Lookout a destination, the overlook at the end of FS 291.3K is spectacular any time of the year and is definitely one not to miss. This route off Ditch…
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Total Miles
3.4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Fall, Summer, Spring
Learn more about Ditch Creek Br & Long Canyon
Ditch Creek Br & Long Canyon

Ditch Creek Br & Long Canyon

This route runs from Six Mile (north end) along Odakota Mountain, through Long Draw, and down to Ditch Creek (south end). On the east side of the Ditch Creek trailhead lies one of the scenic…
Learn more about Ditch Creek Br & Long Canyon
Total Miles
6.6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Fall, Summer, Spring
Learn more about Dugans Prospect
Dugans Prospect

Dugans Prospect

This is a mild rock crawling trail that is narrow and has some steep grades. 4wd is required for this trail. Armor is recommended but not needed if you are careful. You should have 33"…
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Total Miles
1.2
Tech Rating
4 Moderate
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
Learn more about East Gimlet Trail
East Gimlet Trail

East Gimlet Trail

This dirt road is a pretty typical unmaintained road for the black hills. Some surfaces are gravel while others can be a mixture of dirt. This does not require high clearance, most vehicles could easily…
Learn more about East Gimlet Trail
Total Miles
1.8
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
Learn more about Elk Mountain Trail
Elk Mountain Trail

Elk Mountain Trail

This trail is west of Custer past Jewell Cave National Park, just east of the Wyoming border. It is a freshly groomed gravel to light rocky trail. Stock vehicles can run on this trail. Breathtaking…
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Total Miles
6.4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Fall, Summer, Spring
Learn more about Experimental Forest Road
Experimental Forest Road

Experimental Forest Road

This is a snapshot of the much longer Experimental Forest Road on the map. This trail appears to be a major access road for all sorts of other trails and potentially dispersed camping if allowed.…
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Total Miles
1.5
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
Learn more about Flat Nastys
Flat Nastys

Flat Nastys

This an easier very scenic trail that takes you from Nemo Road over to Highway 44. Some smaller rock-rutted uneven road that can be messy in the rain. One major obstacle that has a steep…
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Total Miles
10.2
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
Learn more about Flat Nastys 6.0
Flat Nastys 6.0

Flat Nastys 6.0

Moderate rock crawling trail for built vehicles. This trail is steep, dangerous and narrow. Vehicle damage is very possible and stock vehicles will not make it on this one. Armor, recovery gear, larger tires, roll…
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Total Miles
0.3
Tech Rating
6 Moderate
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
Learn more about Foster's Gultch
Foster's Gultch

Foster's Gultch

This is a scenic trail meandering through ponderosa pine and quaking aspen trees. From the Rockerville Road entrance of this trail, is it a maintained gravel road that slowly gets narrower, but stays very easy…
Learn more about Foster's Gultch
Total Miles
13.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Summer, Fall
Learn more about FR 562-Tri Point
FR 562-Tri Point

FR 562-Tri Point

This is one way to access the tri-point of Wyoming, South Dakota, and Nebraska. It's a beautiful trail through the Buffalo Gap National Grassland.There are 1-2 water crossings (seasonal) that can be muddy. You will…
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Total Miles
4.7
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Summer
Learn more about Fruity Pebbles Trail 1
Fruity Pebbles Trail 1

Fruity Pebbles Trail 1

Fruity Pebbles is locally known for being one of the most technical trails in the Black Hills. With steep rock beds, rutted deep lines, and steep climbs this is a perfect spot to experience rock…
Learn more about Fruity Pebbles Trail 1
Total Miles
1.1
Tech Rating
7 Difficult
Best Time
Summer, Spring
Learn more about FS 2A
FS 2A

FS 2A

This two-track dirt road leads to a dead end at a kelly hump/tank trap. There are some great camping spots along this road.
Learn more about FS 2A
Total Miles
1.6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
Learn more about FS 563
FS 563

FS 563

This is a beautiful trail through the Buffalo Gap National Grassland in Fall River County, South Dakota. It has deep ruts and can be muddy. You will share the road with cattle at times. Hunting…
Learn more about FS 563
Total Miles
7.7
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Summer
1 2 3 4

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